Types of Pipes

Copper pipe ideal water supply lines leading from the main water supply pipe to household sinks and toilets. Copper
is popular with plumbing contractors because it is clean, doesn't rust and is very reliable for both hot and cold water
delivery. Copper pipes provide trouble-free service for decades. Copper pipes will freeze and burst if left exposed to
the elements. If you have copper pipes that run through the outer walls of your home, be sure the walls contain plenty
of insulation.




PEX tubing Its flexibility and strength make it as reliable as copper but easier for plumbers to work with. PEX stands
for cross-linked polyethylene and it is being used increasingly for water supply lines as a low cost alternative to
copper piping. Developed in the 1960s, PEX has been used in Europe for decades but was only introduced to the
U.S. in the 1980s. No material is freeze-proof but PEX is freeze- resistant and can expand and contract if the water
inside freezes.



PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe is the most common material used today for household drainpipes and vents. It
comes in a wide variety of sizes and is durable and reliable. It is finding renewed acceptance as a copper substitute
in pressurized water supply lines. It has long been popular for drainage and sewage piping. PVC pipe is inexpensive
and popular with plumbing contractors because its joints fit tightly together to resists root intrusion and it is easy to
repair. It can be quickly glued together to provide decades of trouble-free service.



ABS piping is used in both ground and above-ground applications, and may also be installed outdoors, provided the
pipes meet certain conditions. Based on local regulations, outdoor usage may require the pipes to contain pigments
to prevent it from ultraviolet radiation or to be painted with a water-based latex paint.



HDPE is high-density polyethylene plastic pipe often used for drainage in household plumbing.


Clay piping is an older style, if you discover that you still have it in your home, you need to get it replaced as soon as
possible.


CPVC pipes are beige and are approved for use in hot or cold water service lines.


Polyethylene tubes are black and approved for cold water use.




Polybutylene is gray or beige and is usually sold in coiled lengths. Polybutylene is the only flexible pipe approved for
hot and cold service lines.





Orangeburg, also known as fibre conduit pipe, was a tarpaper-like material used for sewer lines from the 1860s
through the 1970s. It became common again during World War II when iron and other materials were diverted to the
war effort. Orangeburg pipe is very susceptible to root intrusion and has fallen out of favor with building code writers.



Cast Iron pipes are tough and reliable. Today they are more commonly found in commercial and municipal
applications than in residential plumbing. However, iron pipes can be found in older homes. Cast iron resists
corrosion and can last a very long time. Plumbers work with cast iron drainage pipes, water supply lines and natural
gas lines.





Lead pipes have fallen out of favor today due to the danger of lead-related illnesses and health problems. Lead was
the most common type of pipe for centuries because it was easy to work with. The word "plumbing" actually is
derived from the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." If you have lead water supply lines, your water should be tested to
determine the exposure level of your home. Sanders Home Services recommends replacing lead pipes with safer
materials. At the very least, you should always run the tap for two or three minutes after it feels cold before drinking it
or
cooking with it.




Galvanized steel pipes have also fallen out of favor in new construction. After years of use, minerals from water
react with the galvanizing material to cause scale build up inside the pipe. This will eventually narrow the diameter of
the pipe resulting in lower water pressure and reduced volume.